Bills · HR 3548
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 3548Transportation and Public Works
Infrastructure Expansion Act of 2025
INTRO MAY 21· LAST ACTION MAY 21
READING
4MIN
COSPONSORS
5
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters because it fundamentally shifts the burden of responsibility in serious construction accident cases, particularly for injuries resulting from falls or falling objects, on major infrastructure projects. If this bill becomes law, injured workers on these projects might find it harder to receive full compensation if they contributed in any way to their own accident, even if an employer also failed in safety. This could lead to lower payouts for injured workers and their families, potentially increasing financial strain during recovery.
Conversely, it could reduce liability costs for property owners and contractors, which proponents argue might encourage more companies to take on large infrastructure projects, potentially speeding up construction and development. The current debate often revolves around balancing worker safety and adequate compensation for injuries against the costs and risks faced by businesses undertaking essential public works. If the bill doesn't pass, the existing state liability laws, including absolute liability in some cases, would continue to apply to these projects.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Eliminates 'absolute liability' for property owners and contractors on federally supported infrastructure and transportation projects for injuries related to elevation or gravity-related risks.
This provision fundamentally changes how fault is assigned in serious construction injury cases on major projects, shifting liability away from a 'no-fault' approach for employers.
PROVISION 02
Mandates a 'comparative negligence' standard for these types of injury claims on federally supported projects, meaning the responsibility of the injured person for their own accident must be considered.
This ensures that if an injured worker contributed to their accident (e.g., by not following safety rules), their compensation can be reduced proportionally.
PROVISION 03
Asserts federal preemption, overriding any state laws that impose absolute liability for elevation or gravity-related risks on projects receiving federal financial assistance.
This means federal law would take precedence, forcing states to comply with the comparative negligence standard for these specific types of projects and injuries.
PROVISION 04
Grants exclusive jurisdiction to federal courts for claims arising under this Act, preventing state courts from applying absolute liability standards to covered projects.
This provision centralizes the legal process for these claims in federal courts, further ensuring the consistent application of the comparative negligence standard.
PROVISION 05
The new rules apply to claims arising from projects where a state or local government accepts federal financial assistance on or after January 1, 2026.
This sets a clear start date for when the changes to liability standards would go into effect for future projects.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 5
R· New York
YRS IN OFFICE
3
BILLS LED
49
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 0%
DEM 0 REP 5 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSMAY 21
Introduced in House
MAY 21
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 3548
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedMay 21, 2025
Last actionMay 21, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · JUDICIARY COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED MAY 21, 2025
House BillHR 3548Transportation and Public Works
Infrastructure Expansion Act of 2025
INTRODUCED MAY 21, 2025· LAST ACTION MAY 21, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
4 min
COSPONSORS
5
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
